ATLANTIC COUNTY REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE

RELEASE: Immediate,                 CONTACT:  Atlantic County

                    Oct. 7, 2008                                        Republican Hdqs.

                                                                                 609-677-0707

          Atlantic County Republican Chairman Keith A. Davis today expressed his concern that closing down the traditional polling place at the painters union hall on Ocean Heights Avenue in Egg Harbor Township “will cause considerable confusion for individuals who have cast ballots there for many years and may very well result in a significant decline in voter participation next month.”

          “The voting precinct involved has been historically a high performing one for Republican candidates,” Davis said, “and this last minute denial of the use of the union hall as a polling station raises questions and suspicions about the motive for doing so.”

          Davis called upon the organization which controls the use of the hall to explain its decision to close it and whether political pressure was exerted on it to take the action.

          “The union hall has been used for many years as a polling station and, in fact, was utilized as recently as the primary election in June,” Davis said.  “Why make this sudden change now?  Is there a political motivation behind it, one designed to undermine the traditional Republican turnout there?  Is this a deliberate, pre-planned effort to reduce the Republican support in the precinct?”

          Davis said he was concerned that voters, unaware of the switch in polling places, will appear at the painters union hall next month to cast ballots --- just as they have for years --- only to be turned away and informed they could not vote there.

          “There is a very real possibility that many people will return home and simply not vote,” he said.  “